Versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders

ABSTRACT

A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which is capable of lifting and carrying a variety of objects of varying sizes and shapes including long pipe, conduits and poles, spools and coils and crates of varying sizes. The carriage is characterized by lift forks which are movable laterally to accommodate pallets of varying sizes and hold-down fingers carried in vertically movable slides for grasping and holding articles, or for out-of-the-way vertical placement to permit the carriage to accommodate large bulky objects. The carriage is mountable on the boom structure of a front end loader for the usual movements including vertical lifting movement, longitudinal movement for stacking and unstacking, tilting movement, and the like.

[4 June 18, 1974 United States Patent [191 Lull 3,409,157 11/1968Lu1l................ ....................214/654 1 VERSATILE UTILITYCARRIAGE FOR MOBILE LOADERS 75 l t Le G d H L n Primary Examiner-Evon C.Blunk 1 men or i u mneapols Assistant Examiner-James L. Rowland [57]ABSTRACT A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which iscapable of lifting and carrying a variety of objects of [22] Filed:

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and unstacking, tilting movement, and the like.

Kennedy............................. 214/313 10 Claims, 13 DrawingFigures 2,788,148 4/1957 Parcell....,...........................3,127,209 3/1964 Faust 3,206,052 9/1965 PATEWEWW BEN;

saw 2 M a FIE-LE This invention is directed to a versatile utilitycarriage for use in connection with a front and mobile loader for thepurpose of engaging, holding, carrying and discharging of a variety ofobjects of varying sizes andshapes. These include such diverse objectsas elongatedpipes, tubular conduits, utility poles, and the like, eithersingly or in bundles and in lengths as long as 75 feet; largecylindrical spools of wire .and cable; coils of wire, cable, plastic andmetallic tubing and conduit, and the like; palletized objects of allsizes; large and small crates of various sizes',.and the like. Mostprior art loaders are designed to perform one or more related functionsbut, if in a given situation a variety of objects are to be handled,generally more than one type of specialized loader is required. It isthe object of this invention to provide a single utility carriagepermitting a front end loader to.do a wide variety of work.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carriage from the frontand showingthe lift forksand hold-down fingers in different positions in brokenlines;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section taken on the line3-3 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the right hand side of thecarriage;

FIG. ,5 is a front elevation;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the right hand side of thecarriage;

FIGS. 7 through 9 (sheet 3) and FIGS. 10 through 13 (sheet 4) areperspective views illustrating various types of loads which can behandled by the carriage, according to. the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the utility carriage, according to thepresent invention, comprises a frame, indicated generally at 10, adaptedto be carried transversely at the forward end of a boom of a mobileloader, such as, for example, the loader of the type shown in my US.Pat. No. 3,327,879. Frame 10 is made up of a series of structuralmembers including a tubular horizontal top member 11, an intermediatehorizontal angle plate member 12 and bottom horizontal plate 13, allsupported between vertical side members 14 and 15 at the right and leftsides, respectively, of the carriage when viewed from the front.

A plurality of vertical struts l6 and 17 extend between the intermediateangle plate 12 and bottom plate 13 to impart strength and rigidity tothe frame. As seen in FIG. 3, vertical struts 17 extend rearwardly fromthe frame and are equipped with suitable apertured bearing means 18 toreceive pivot pins which serve to connect the carriage to a boom B of aloader (FIG. 7).

A pair of parallel spaced apart vertical plates 19 are positioned midwaybetween side members 14 and 15 extending between horizontal members 11and 12 and rearwardly thereof. Plates 19 are each fitted with suitableapertured bearing means 20 to receive pivot pins which serve to connectthe carriage to the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder (not shown)carried by the boom of a front end loader to permit tilting or rockingmovement of the carriage.

A pair of horizontal shafts 21 and 22 are supported by their ends in oneof plates 19 and side plate 14, and

one of plates 19 and side plate 15, respectively. A lift fork 23 weldedto a sleeve or bushing 24 is supported from shaft 21 for transversemovement. A corresponding lift fork 25 welded to sleeve or bushing 26 issupported from shaft 22. It will be noted that the vertical leg portion25a of fork 25 is longer than the vertical leg portion 23a of fork 23.Fork 23 is moved transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of theloader along shaft 21 between the full line and broken line positionsshown in FIG. 1 by virtue of a hydraulic cylinder 27 mounted below shaft22 and pivotally attached at 28 (FIG. 5) to vertical plate 15, thepiston 29 being pivotally attached at 30 to fork 23. Similarly fork 25is moved transversely by virtue of hydraulic cylinder 31 which ismounted above shaft 21 and is pivotally attached at 32 to vertical sideplate 14 and whose piston 33is pivotally attached at 34 to the top end25a of fork 25. By virtue of the use of a flow divider, hydraulic fluidis distributed uniformly to cylinders 27 and 31 to cause uniform lateralmovement of forks 23 and 25 inwardly and outwardly to accommodatepallets or other loads of varying widths. As shown in FIG. 3, each fork23 and 25 is desirably provided on its rearward surface with an angleguide member 35 which engages and slides along a track such as rod 36secured to the top surface of frame plate 13.

Frame bottom plate 13 extends transversely beyond the frame innervertical side plates 14 and 15. An outer side plate 40 extendsvertically from the end of bottom plate 13 spaced from and parallel toinner side plate 14. Similarly, an outer side plate 41 extendsvertically from the opposite end of bottom plate 13 parallel to innerside plate 15. A pair of vertical slide plates 42 and 43 are positionedin face-to-face relation against the inner surfaces of outer verticalplate 40 and inner vertical plate 14, respectively. Each slide plate 42and 43 is held in a slideway formed between a pair of slide guides orretainers 44 and 45, respectively. Similar slide means are disposedbetween vertical plates 15 and 41.

A short shaft 46 extends between slide plates 42 and 43 spaced upwardlyfrom the lower ends thereof. One end of a hold-down finger or clamp 47is mounted to rotate on shaft 46. A pair of spaced apart parallelrearwardly extending plates 48 are secured to the upper ends of slideplates 42 and 43 to move therewith. A hydraulic cylinder 49 is securedto a hub 50 for pivotal movement about a shaft 51 supported between therearward edges of plates 48 adjacent the top thereof. The free end ofthe piston 52 of cylinder 49 is secured to a hub 53 mounted for rotationabout a shaft 54 carried by the opposite side members of hold-downfinger 47 spaced from shaft 46.

Introduction of hydraulic fluid to cylinder 49 causes the hold-downfinger 47 to be rotated about shaft 46 through an arc in excess of fromthe generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position,shown in FIG. 2, as well as any required intermediate position necessaryfor retaining any particular load. Identical slide and finger structureis provided on opposite sides of the carriage. A flow divider insuresuniform distribution of hydraulic fluid to each of the pair of cylinders49 for uniform operation of fingers 47.

The slide structures carrying the hold-down fingers 47 are verticallymovable relative to the carriage frame. A pair of spaced apart parallelplates 55, in the form of rearwardly projecting ears, are fixed to thelower ends of frame vertical side members 14 and 40, and and 41. One endof a hydraulic cylinder 56 is secured to a hub 57 for rotation aboutshaft 58 held between the cars 55. Cylinder 56 is vertically extending.The free end of its piston 59 is secured to a hub 60 for rotation aboutshaft 61 held between the plates 48 at the bottom rearward edgesthereof.

Hydraulic fluid to cylinders 56 is pumped through a flow divider foruniform distribution of fluid to both cylinders to insure uniformelevation and lowering of the slides carrying the hold-down fingers. Theslide and hold-down fingers may be moved vertically between the fullline and dotted line positions shown in FIG. 2. When the slideassemblies are in their uppermost position and the hold-down fingers arefully retracted, crates and other objects of considerable height can beaccommodated by the carrier. The operation of the fingers into and outof clamping position, and of the finger slides vertically and movementof the forks together and apart are carried on separately. However, bothhold-down fingers are moved simultaneously, both slides are movedsimultaneously, and both forks are moved simultaneously.

The versatility of the utility carriage is illustrated in FIGS. 7through 13. In a typical carriage, according to the present invention,the forks may be moved from a minimum span of 24 inches to a maximum of74 inches measured from the outside edges of the forks or anyintermediate position between those limits.

FIG. 7 illustrates use of the utility carriage for load ing and movingutility poles and the like. Poles from 12 inch diameter and greater andup to 75 feet in length can be handled.

FIG. 8 shows the utility carriage in use to handle large diameter pipe.Pipe ranging from 12 to 30 inches in diameter and up to 45 feet long canbe handled by the carriage.

FIG. 9 shows the carriage being used to handle banded plastic tubing.The bundles of relatively friable tubes, 48 in all, are approximately 2feet by 4 feet and up to 36 feet long. Due to the simultaneous movementof both hold-down fingers, the plastic pipe can be held withoutfracturing. I

FIG. 10 shows the utility carriage being used to handle large spools ofcable. Spools up to approximately 7 feet diameter and 4 feet wide may beaccommodated. It will be noted that the hold-down fingers are in theiralmost vertical position and the slides in which the fingers are mountedare elevated.

FIG. 11 shows the utility carriage being used to handle a palletizedload of coiled plastic tubing. Six coils almost 6 feet in diameter arestacked 8 feet high on a 6 foot square pallet. Again, the fingers areraised and elevated to accommodate this high load.

FIG. 12 shows the carriage with the forks moved together to handle anobject, such as a small transformer, carried on a small pallet.

FIG. 13 shows the carriage used to accommodate a large object, such as alarge transformer or the like, up to 8 feet high, on a 5% by 6 footpallet.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this inventionas hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by wayof example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of theappended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which comprises:

A. a transversely and vertically extending frame;

B. a pair of lift forks, each having a vertical leg portion and ahorizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom;

C. means operatively connected and associated with said forks for movingboth of the forks laterally toward and away from one another relative tothe frame;

D. vertically movable slide means at opposite ends of the frame, saidslide means including a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical sideplates positioned at opposite ends of the frame and a pair of parallelspaced apart rearwardly extending plates projecting from the upperrearward edges of the slide plates and movable therewith;

E. a pair of hold-down fingers supported by said slide means, one end ofeach of said hold-down fingers being pivotally supported between one ofsaid pairs of slide plates;

F. means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means, said means including a hydraulic cylinderpivotally connected to the slide means between the rearwardly extendingplates at the upper ends of the slide plates and a piston extendingbetween the slide plates and pivotally connected to the finger; and

G. means operatively connected and associated with the slide means forelevating the slide means relative to the frame and relative to the liftforks.

2. A carriage according to claim 1 further characterized in that:

A. said frame includes horizontal shaft means;

B. said forks are supported from bushings slideable along said shaftmeans; and

C. opposed fluid pressure means are connected between the opposite sidesof the frame and the forks to move the forks along the shaft means.

3. A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which comprises:

A. a transversely and vertically extending frame including horizontalshaft means;

B. a pair of lift forks, each having a vertical leg portion and ahorizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom, said forkssupported from bushings slideable along said shaft means, and thevertical'leg portion of one of said forks being longer than the verticalleg portion of the other fork;

C. means operatively connected and associated with said forks for movingboth of the forks laterally toward and away from one another relative tothe frame, said means comprising a pair of opposed horizontally disposedhydraulic cylinders connected between the opposite sides of the frameand the forks to move the forks along the shaft means, one of saidcylinders being disposed above said shaft means with its pistonconnected to the longer of said vertical fork leg portions, and theother of said cylinders being disposed below said shaft means with itspiston connected to the other of said vertical fork leg portions;

D. vertically movable slide means at opposite ends of the frame;

E. a pair of hold-down fingers supported by said slide means;

F. means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means; and

G. means operatively connected and associted with the slide means forelevating the slide means relative to the frame and relative to the liftforks.

4. A carriage according to claim 3 further characterized in that:

A. said cylinder whose piston is connected to the longer of saidvertical fork leg portions is pivotally connected to the frame at theside adjacent the other of said forks; and

B. said cylinder whose pistion is connected to the other of saidvertical fork leg portions is pivotally connected to the frame at theside adjacent the fork having the longer leg portion.

5. A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which comprises:

A. a transversely and vertically extending frame;

B. a pair of lift forks, each having a vertical leg portion and ahorizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom;

C. means operatively connected and associated with said forks for movingboth of the forks laterally toward and away from one another relative tothe frame;

D. vertically movable slide means at opposite ends of the frame, saidslide means including:

1. a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical side plates positioned atopposite ends of the frame,

2. face-to-face slideways on the inside surfaces of said side plates,

3. a pair of slide plates movable vertically in said slideways, and

4. a pair of parallel spaced apart rearwardly extending platesprojecting from the upper rearward edges of the slide plates and movabletherewith;

E. a pair of hold-down fingers supported by said slide means;

F. means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means; and

G. means operatively connected and associated with the slide means forelevating the slide means relative to the frame and relative to the liftforks.

6. A carriage according to claim 5 further characterized in that:

A. one end of each of said fingers is pivotally supported between one ofsaid pairs of slide plates; and

B. fluid pressure means for raising and lowering the fingers aresupported between the slide plates.

7. A carriage according to claim 6 further characterized in that saidfluid pressure means includes:

A. a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to said slide means betweensaid rearwardly extending plates at the upper ends of the slide plates;and

B. a piston extending between said slide plates and pivotally connectedto said fingers spaced from the pivotal connection of the fingers withthe slide plates.

8. A carriage according to claim 5 further characterized in that:

A. a pair of parallel spaced apart ear plates are provided projectingrearwardly from the lower rearward edges of said frame side plates; and

B. fluid pressure means are provided connected to said ear plates andsaid slide plates for elevating the slide means.

9. A carriage according to claim 8 further characterized in that saidfluid pressure means includes:

A. a vertically extending hydrualic cylinder pivotally connected to saidside plates between said rearwardly extending ear plates; and

B. a piston pivotally connected to said slide plates between therearwardly extending plates at the upper edges of the slide plates.

10. A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which comprises:

A. a transversely and vertically extending frame including horizontalshaft means;

B. a pair of lift forks, each having a vertical leg portion and ahorizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom, said forks beingsupported from bushings slideable along said shaft means, and thevertical leg portion of one of said forks being longer than the verticalleg portion of the other fork;

C. means operatively connected and associated with said forks for movingboth of the forks laterally toward and away from one another relative tothe frame; said means comprising a pair of horizontally disposedhydraulic cylinders, one of said cylinders being disposed above saidshaft means pivotally connected to the frame at the side adjacent to thefork with the shorter of said vertical leg portions and having itspiston connected to the longer of said vertical leg portions, and theother of said cylinders being disposed below said shaft pivotallyconnected to the frame adjacent the fork having the longer leg portionand having its piston connected to the shorter of thevertical legportions;

D. vertically movable slide means at opposite ends of the frame, saidslide means including a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical sideplates positioned at opposite ends of the frame, face-to-face slidewayson the inside surfaces of said side plates, a pair of slide platesmovable vertically in said slideways and a pair of parallel spaced apartrearwardly extending plates projecting from the upper rearward edges ofthe slide plates and movable therewith;

E. a pair of hold-down fingers supported by said slide means, one end ofeach of said hold-down fingers being pivotally supported between one ofsaid pairs of slide plates;

F. means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means, said means including a hydraulic cylinderpivotally connected to the slide means between the rearwardly extendingplates at the upper ends of the slide plates and a piston extendingbetween the slide plates and pivotally connected to the finger;

the frame comprising a vertically extending hydraulic cylinder pivotallyconnected to the side plates between said rearwardly extending earplates and a piston pivotally connected to said slide plates between therearwardly extending plates at the upper edges of the slide plates.

P0405 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 569 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PaoentNo. 3 817 567 Dated June 18, 1974 Inventor(s) LenGrand II. Lull It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent ar'e hereby corrected as shown below:

i F i 1 i I Column 1, line 5, "and" should be -end-. Column 5, line 9,"associted" should be "associated". Column 5, line l8, "pistion" shouldbe -piston-.

Column 6, 'line l3, "hydrualic" should be -hydr aulic--.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of October 1974,

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which comprises: A. atransversely and vertically extending frame; B. a pair of lift forks,each having a vertical leg portion and a horizontal leg portionprojecting forwardly therefRom; C. means operatively connected andassociated with said forks for moving both of the forks laterally towardand away from one another relative to the frame; D. vertically movableslide means at opposite ends of the frame, said slide means including apair of spaced apart parallel vertical side plates positioned atopposite ends of the frame and a pair of parallel spaced apartrearwardly extending plates projecting from the upper rearward edges ofthe slide plates and movable therewith; E. a pair of hold-down fingerssupported by said slide means, one end of each of said hold-down fingersbeing pivotally supported between one of said pairs of slide plates; F.means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means, said means including a hydraulic cylinderpivotally connected to the slide means between the rearwardly extendingplates at the upper ends of the slide plates and a piston extendingbetween the slide plates and pivotally connected to the finger; and G.means operatively connected and associated with the slide means forelevating the slide means relative to the frame and relative to the liftforks.
 2. A carriage according to claim 1 further characterized in that:A. said frame includes horizontal shaft means; B. said forks aresupported from bushings slideable along said shaft means; and C. opposedfluid pressure means are connected between the opposite sides of theframe and the forks to move the forks along the shaft means. 2.face-to-face slideways on the inside surfaces of said side plates,
 3. Aversatile utility carriage for mobile loaders which comprises: A. atransversely and vertically extending frame including horizontal shaftmeans; B. a pair of lift forks, each having a vertical leg portion and ahorizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom, said forkssupported from bushings slideable along said shaft means, and thevertical leg portion of one of said forks being longer than the verticalleg portion of the other fork; C. means operatively connected andassociated with said forks for moving both of the forks laterally towardand away from one another relative to the frame, said means comprising apair of opposed horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinders connectedbetween the opposite sides of the frame and the forks to move the forksalong the shaft means, one of said cylinders being disposed above saidshaft means with its piston connected to the longer of said verticalfork leg portions, and the other of said cylinders being disposed belowsaid shaft means with its piston connected to the other of said verticalfork leg portions; D. vertically movable slide means at opposite ends ofthe frame; E. a pair of hold-down fingers supported by said slide means;F. means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means; and G. means operatively connected andassocited with the slide means for elevating the slide means relative tothe frame and relative to the lift forks.
 3. a pair of slide platesmovable vertically in said slideways, and
 4. A carriage according toclaim 3 further characterized in that: A. said cylinder whose piston isconnected to the longer of said vertical fork leg portions is pivotallyconnected to the frame at the side adjacent the other of said forks; andB. said cylinder whose pistion is connected to the other of saidvertical fork leg portions is pivotally connected to the frame at theside adjacent the fork having the longer leg portion.
 4. a pair ofparallel spaced apart rearwardly extending plates projecting from theupper rearward edges of the slide plates and movable therewith; E. apair of hold-down fingers supported by said slide means; F. meansoperatively connected and associated with said fingers and supported bysaid slide means for raising and lowering the fingers relative to theslide means; and G. means operatively connected and associated with theslide means for elevating the slide means relative to the frame andrelative to the lift forks.
 5. A versatile utility carriage for mobileloaders which comprises: A. a transversely and vertically extendingframe; B. a pair of lift forks, each having a vertical leg portion and ahorizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom; C. meansoperatively connected and associated with said forks for moving both ofthe forks laterally toward and away from one another relative to theframe; D. vertically movable slide means at opposite ends of the frame,said slide means including:
 6. A carriage according to claim 5 furthercharacterized in that: A. one end of each of said fingers is pivotallysupported between one of said pairs of slide plates; and B. fluidpressure means for raising and lowering the fingers are supportedbetween the slide plates.
 7. A carriage according to claim 6 furthercharacterized in that said fluid pressure means includes: A. a hydrauliccylinder pivotally connected to said slide means between said rearwardlyextending plates at the upper ends of the slide plates; and B. a pistonextending between said slide plates and pivotally connected to saidfingers spaced from the pivotal connection of the fingers with the slideplates.
 8. A carriage according to claim 5 further characterized inthat: A. a pair of parallel spaced apart ear plates are providedprojecting rearwardly from the lower rearward edges of said frame sideplates; and B. fluid pressure means are provided connected to said earplates and said slide plates for elevating the slide means.
 9. Acarriage according to claim 8 further characterized in that said fluidpressure means includes: A. a vertically extending hydrualic cylinderpivotally connected to said side plates between said rearwardlyextending ear plates; and B. a piston pivotally connected to said slideplates between the rearwardly extending plates at the upper edges of theslide plates.
 10. A versatile utility carriage for mobile loaders whichcomprises: A. a transversely and vertically extending frame includinghorizontal shaft means; B. a pair of lift forks, each having a verticalleg portion and a horizontal leg portion projecting forwardly therefrom,said forks being supported from bushings slideable along said shaftmeans, and the vertical leg portion of one of said forks being longerthan the vertical leg portion of the other fork; C. means operativelyconnected and associated with said forks for moving both of the forkslaterally toward and away from one another relative to the frame; saidmeans comprising a pair of horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinders,one of said cylinders being disposed above said shaft means pivotallyconnected to the frame at the side adjacent to the fork with the shorterof said vertical leg portions and having its piston connected to thelonger of said vertical leg portions, and the other of said cylindersbeing disposed below said shaft pivotally connected to the frameadjacent the fork having the longer leg portion and having its pistonconnected to the shorter of the vertical leg portions; D. verticallymovable slide means at opposite ends of the frame, said slide meansincluding a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical side platespositioned at opposite ends of the frame, face-to-face slideways on theinside surfaces of said side plates, a pair of slide plates movablevertically in said slideways and a pair of parallel spaced apartrearwardly extending plates projecting from the upper rearward edges ofthe slide plates and movable therewith; E. a pair of hold-down fingerssupported by said slide means, one end of each of said hold-down fingersbeing pivotally supported between one of said pairs of slide plates; F.means operatively connected and associated with said fingers andsupported by said slide means for raising and lowering the fingersrelative to the slide means, said means including a hydraulic cylinderpivotally connected to the slide means between the rearwardly extendingplates at the upper ends of the slide plates and a piston extendingbetween the slide plates and pivotally connected to the finger; G. meansoperatively connected and associated with the slide means for elevatingthe slide means relative to the frame and relative to the lift forks; H.a pair of parallel spaced apart ear plates projecting rearwardly fromthe lower rearward edges of said frame side plates; and I. said meansfor elevating the slide means relative to the frame comprising avertically extending hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the sideplates between said rearwardly extending ear plates and a pistonpivotally connected to said slide plates between the rearwardlyextending plates at the upper edges of the slide plates.